Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1894 — ON TO WASHINGTON. [ARTICLE]

ON TO WASHINGTON.

Charge of the Ragged Ranks Upon the National Capital. Progress of the Various IMvMene «f Sbo Great Commonweal Army. ® "Tramp, tramp, tramp, tor Carey’s marching; Cheer up, Grover, he will come; And beneath the starry flag He will rein his Western nag, And he'll open up a keg of nails or rum." —Atlanta Constitution. The main column reached Boonsboro, Md., Monday evening. The mountaineers were alarmed and turned out, armed with rifles and whisky to repel an invasion, as they thought. When they learned that the procession had no hostile intentions the moonshiners gave the army a generous reception. Plenty of bread and meat was supplied gratis, as well as a load of firewood and oats for the horses. Mar* shal Browne lectured at night in front of the panorama wagon by the light of a gasoline burner, and the scene is described as uncommonly picturesque. The main division of the commonweal marched from Frederick to Hyattetown, Md., Thursday—eleven miles. Expert “shell workers” accompanying the army, duped some countrymen out of sls. Coxey endeavored to arrest the gamblers, but failed. 6 The tramp of the Commonweal, Friday, was from Hyattstown to Gaithersburg, —thirteen miles. The road was good, bnt the succession of high hills and deep valleys made the march unusually wearisome. XOTEB. The Treasury officials at Washington, while disclaiming any fear, Tuesday, increased the supply of firearms in the building so as to be prepared for all possible emergencies. The Frye phalanx made a start from Terre Haute, Tuesday, in a box car, but, owing to a misunderstanding, the train put back to the city and the car was switched in the Vandalia yards. The Kelly industrials reached Atlantic la., Tuesday, The day’s march was eventful. The Speed faction became mutinous and for a time it seemed that the army would be split. A riot was only averted by Gen Kelly’s coolness. The Speed sac tion charges that Kelly is appropriating all the funds to his own use.

Coxey’s main column marched to Frederick. Md., Tuesday. Thirty-five recroiti were received at this point, under tho charge of White, the trumpeter, who was discharged last week. White was reinstated; “Gen.” Coxey returned from New York and rejoined the army at Frederick. He is greatly pleased with the result ol his Now York trip. Kelly’s cohorts reached Avoca, lowa, Monday evening, and were given a flattering reception. The situation in lowa on account oi the presence of Kelly’s industrials at various points along the route of tho Rock Island railway became serious, Thursday. At Adair 100 men announced that they would walk no further and asserted that they would take a train by force. Ths railway company issued a circular warning the men and stating that any train running In opposition to established signals would be at the peril of the parties operating the same. Twenty men were arrested at Atlantic and at least 150 scattered themselves along the line between Atlantic and Adair and attempted to steal rides. Gen. Kelly was greatly angered at the action of the company and stated that his men would not steal a train but would obtain one at Des Moines without seizure. Ono hundred recruits were secured at Atlantic and this division now numbers 1,256 men in one body. Gen. Frye’s division reached Indianapolis. Thursday, and went into eamp with Col. Aubrey’s men at Lander’s porkhouse. Gen. Frye put up at the Circle House. In the evening a public meeting was held, at which Frye and Aubry and local labor agitators made addresses. The Washington Commissioners havs refused to permit the Coxeyites to hold open-air meetings in the District. George Francis Train arrived at Washington, Thursday, and predicted that the country is on the verge of a revolution beside which the Great Rebellion will be a mere patch. The authorities in charge of the capitol building will probably surrender their charge to the District Commissioners, owing to the small number of capitol police now in service. The latter aqhpaid by Congress, and thefr number cannot be increased without legislation. The Butte contingent of the Coxey army captured a train, Tuesday, and proceeded Eastward. The government called out the regular troops at Ft. Keogh,under Col. Page, and the train was captured at Forsythe. Mont. No blood was shed, the industrials submitting to arrest very quietly. They were taken to Ft Keogh* and will be held to await theordersof the war department. Kelley’s men were in hard lines, Friday. One hundred and twenty men were missing when the start was made from Adair. Kelley telegraphed to tho Mayor of Omaha for aid, stating that he was surrounded by detectives who were doing everything in their power to break up the movement. The army straggled into Stuart at 6p. m. in bad condition. The farmers along the route were not inclined to help Kelley. Friday, and the General is gloomy but still determined to push on to Washington and said he would make a forced march to Des Moines and arrive at the lowa capital some time Sunday. George Francis Train, attracted to Washington on account of the Coxey movement, lectured without a license and was arrested. Judge Miller dismissed him without a fine. Attorney-General Olney has telegraphed to Mr. McNaught, solicitor of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, recommending that hereafter, in case the Commonwealers attempt to seize or interfere with the property of the railroad company, application be made first to the local State tribunals for protection. In this way the Governors of the States will ba afforded an* opportunity to exercise the powers with which they are elothod before seek Ing the assistance of the United States. If the Governor* fail in their doty in thi«j respect, as It is reported Governor Pennoyer, of Oregon, has done in refusing Um application of Sheriff Kelly, at Troutville, for militia aid. then the National Government will be obliged to act through the United States courts.